Opossums, the Marsupial Evolutionary Wonder of America

Opossums are America's only marsupial and while they may not be the cuddliest critters, they are an evolutionary wonder.
Hosted by Ed Clark, Untamed takes you behind the scenes of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, where diagnosing and treating the injuries of its patients is just the beginning of the Center’s investigative and conservation work. The team also strives to identify and address the threats and hazards that cause harm to wildlife in the first place-issues ranging from illegal human activities to environmental contamination to emerging wildlife disease.
Learn more about the wildlife center and this episode: www.wildlifecenter.org/untame...
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[@Darujistab]

What is this about not elegant, not graceful, not wonderful? Opossums are ADORABLE. They make it on my list!

[@hansfritz6275]

they are so cute :)

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

I have taken photos of them feeding in my backyard. I call them my "Chicago " Panda" Bears!"

[@wolftalon9129]

ikr even my pfp is one

[@neh214]

I agree whole-heartedly. I find Opposums to be clever, adorable, charming & cute. DOWN WITH OPPOSUM HATERS!!!

[@wolftalon9129]

@@neh214 agreed

[@davidmacleod9313]

I met a possum in my shack and sat and talked to him/her for about an hour until he/she felt comfortable enough to walk right past me and out the door. I guess what I had to say wasn’t interesting enough. Lol

[@holyhex6520]

I like that story, thanks for sharing.

[@normanleach5427]

You remind me of an old friend. Francis also had the patience of a saint.

[@maidenmovies]

you must be a good human… shame I was not there Id like to talk to both of you

[@annaw982]

I think you're story is interesting. Have you considered many people are boring, have nothing to say, can't read, write, spell and CAN'T REPLY? LITERACY is a problem. Not all, but people just many.

[@neverever3922]

dude I love that, I would definitely do that too

[@olafelsberry420]

Because of opossums my grandfather never had to worry about slugs and snails in his garden.

[@barrypeirson3710]

They eat tons of Lyme's disease carry ticks too. They are awesome!

[@janelightning73]

Also ticks.

[@alexanderfreeman3406]

Actually, possums do not normally eat ticks. That statement comes from bunk research where possums were *only* given ticks to eat.

[@Cantillions]

It's 4:30 AM and I'm watching a man teach about opossums...it's a good morning. Love this guy

[@megazombiekiller9000]

Keeping the tradition alive

[@ItalianLucifer]

5:14 am here

[@11UncleBooker22]

4:26 a.m. 1 June 2023. 😊

[@casuallysentient]

⁠5:03 am things are getting kinda hazy

[@ixradivide]

it’s 4:30am 2 years later and I’m watching a man teach about opossums.

[@theveteran765]

I raised 3 opossums after their mother died. We had no place to take them to so we kept them. They would run around my house at night and have all kinds of fun. EVERY night they would get in my bed and jump on me and slap me in the face until I woke up and gave them a piece of candy! They would beg just like a dog. Then they would go back to bed. They would use the litter box and had NO smell. They were the cleanest pets I have EVER owned and NEVER once bit me or anyone else! I tried to let them go but every time I opened my door they would run in and refuse to go back outside. I live in a city and the people would kill them if they could! Once they knew I had 3 of them they would insist I bring them to every party so they could play with them! From then on everyone started leaving food out for other opossums. I guess you could say they saved a lot of opossums lives! They lived about 4 years before they died and I miss them terribly! Rest in peace little guys! 😞

[@donnahilton471]

💘👍

[@merkules6]

That's so wholesome

[@maidenmovies]

thank you so much!

[@MzSuzy2698]

The Veteran How sweet! I’ve been afraid of them all my life. Thanks for the share.

[@goldfish4578]

I’ve heard that opossum droppings is a nauseatingly terrible smell. I talked to a wildlife rehabilitator about a opossum I had brought her and she said that she could get criminals to confess to crimes just from the smell. 😂

[@OldRancher]

Opossums keep the slugs and snails out of my garden, anyone with a garden should want them around, my dogs that watch over the property been taught to leave them alone and they do. The way I see it, it's free help and as the saying goes, use what nature provides.

[@dunkilos3632]

Natures pest-vacs! Way to go Opossums!

[@tinyfemaleshooter8756]

Wayne very true....and they are so cute too!

[@odalisgutierrez3789]

How do you get your dogs to not attack them ?

[@dunkilos3632]

@@odalisgutierrez3789 I think you have to be "top dog" not being mean,but also be firm in what you want them to do when interacting with them...and always reward good interaction w/opossums...you should ask Cesar Milan?Peace

[@tinyfemaleshooter8756]

Dunkilo S very good advice...I was just going to say about the same thing...it takes a lot of work in training 👍🏻. But very rewarding for both owner and dog....they love to be trained...

[@arndg2785]

0:28 "and while it may not be beautiful" cut to a picture of a regular opossum looking adorable

[@NigelThornbery]

0:33 “and while it may not be beautiful of charismatic” possum trying his best smile in background like it’s picture day.

[@CorpsesInRegalia]

😂

[@user-qf7ud5de9h]

What is not beautiful about the way God made O?

[@unknowncreature-0069]

"the modern opossum was once a contemporary of the sabertooth tiger" I find that so hilarious because opossums are just like :V

[@aruce9]

Or scream at own ass

[@magnificentmuttley154]

Those veterinarians/ professors of natural history mustve been drunk the day they named the saber toothed tiger ancestor to the 'possum. To me a 'possum is simply a large rat without rodent teeth. Mother rats may not have a pouch, but like 'possums their children are born under-developed. They have very canine teeth instead of the continuously-growing upper & lower incisors characteristic of rats. But again, like rats they are omnivorous, they have "hands" anatomically identical to a rat's, & the very same tail with textured skin 🐀

[@Ignacio.Romero]

@@magnificentmuttley154 It's marsupial not a rodent

[@magnificentmuttley154]

Cant you already see I know that? Im simply making a comparison btw 'possum & rat. They even have a rat's thin-skinned ears

[@RodrigoBorgia]

@@magnificentmuttley154 yea, and he already told you: they dont have ANYTHING in common. Heee again, just for you: marsupial =\= rodent

[@bonitajanssen5118]

COME ON PEOPLE, RESPECT NORTH AMERICA'S ONLY MARSUPIAL ALREADY! REALY!!!

[@bonitajanssen5118]

@Quirt Manly Wow! Thank you for that! They are so PRECIOUS and AWESOME. No other animal like it in the world! I wish people would respect that, but most don't! So sad. I'm glad rhere is someone who respects God's creature. They are His innocent baby's who are not capable of evil like humans are.

[@bonitajanssen5118]

@Quirt Manly They should educate themselves, and they're children on how unique that animal really is! A rat can't give birth live to little JOEYS! I'M SORRY, BUT IT'S IGNORANCE THAT KILLS!

[@republican4u2nv78]

@@bonitajanssen5118 That's exactly what it is majority of the time- people not being educated on these little cuties! I've told so many people I know about the benefits of opossums to help educate them and make them realize they aren't scary like so many think (even I used to be afraid of them years ago until I did research!) There are so many benefits opossums have- I purposely feed them to keep them around my house daily... Well, nightly haha!

[@donnahilton471]

@Quirt Manly I love rats 🐀💘and the skunks and raccoons!

[@smoochysmoochy7267]

I do Respect and love them

[@23t22]

I once stopped highway traffic last month to help get a young opossum out of the road. It made me feel good to have helped

[@aattura1541]

I blocked a road once until a HUUGE possum in the road slooowly finished walking past my car to get to the other side.

[@23t22]

@@aattura1541 One them round bois huh

[@igitahimsa5871]

@Donovan D God Bless you :-)!

[@madnessends2477]

It really sucks that they live so little. Such a short lifespan :(

[@francespelletier175]

Opossums eat my cats leftover dry food while they sit by and watch them! It's almost like they're part of the family. They're so cute.

[@michelemcguire8995]

Possoms will eat dead animals n even their poop

[@blueforest2927]

@@michelemcguire8995 thats a good thing..their cleaners !

[@nekkidpossum4397]

@@michelemcguire8995 Our german shepherd ate live bees and cow patties. What's your point?

[@mamaharumi]

Yes I have a few possums join the local cat colony recently. They get along great and all share the food we leave out.

[@anareyes1926]

Mine comes everyday and I have a bowl of cat food for him or her! Been coming for close to a year. It was a teenager when I first saw it but looks older and larger now. I just think it's so cute. My son in law pets it on the back and it just sits motionless.

[@ellamihulka8355]

I love opossums so much

[@reign6of6e6terror]

@@ellamihulka8355 Thats good so Opossums are very sensibel of metabolic bone disease and malnutrition They ve a high level of calcium and of not identify other factors If time people dont feed enough insects and to much eggs and protein and they would very very sick in captivity 90% from the possum petpopulation are sick and are crosseyed ,have a montrös big tail and bent bones

[@carmelasilvestri4207]

So do I

[@smoochysmoochy7267]

BEST PETS EVER!!!

[@jill6776]

Me too, they're adorable joeys

[@batcaaat]

@@smoochysmoochy7267 they don't make good pets. Did you not watch the video

[@deeriggs3319]

I had a possum that I found with her deceased momma that I kept and raised.. she was so tiny idk how I kept her alive. Anyway I didn’t feel like she’d survive on her own so I kept her as a pet.. thank goodness for google. She was the sweetest pet and I absolutely loved her. She ran around my house potty trained and all..I had her three years until she passed away. Before her I always saw possums as pests but now they are my fave little animals. They are fascinating and nature’s pest control.

[@outerrealm]

Do you mean an opossum? Possums are a totally different animal found in Australia. Try Wikipedia once in a while.

[@cipherpurinina]

@@outerrealmRemoving the o in opossum is a colloquial in the US.

[@Iprodeltaelite]

@Adam Nelson U must be fun at parties

[@robinmiller1989]

​@@cipherpurininapedantic pattie over here policing colloquial language 😂

[@tedkaczynskiamericanhero3916]

​@@outerrealmTry reading Wikipedia? Why, so we can read made up bullshit from people with a political agenda, specifically designed to create a dumber populace?

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

A lifespan of 2-3 years? Wow, we must look like immortals to them.

[@aattura1541]

Hopefully like gods too.

[@dangerousideas5356]

they've been around for 60 million years, they're species is immortal compared to us.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

@@dangerousideas5356 that's true, but their lifespans are just 2 to 3 years. In that sense, we may seem like immortals.

[@killianoshaughnessy1174]

@@aattura1541 or eldritch creatures. 😂

[@kathychildress18]

What a shame

[@systemsoundbar5253]

imagine that, they've existed millions of years ago and still have a life span of about 2 years. the wonders of nature.

[@ValeriePallaoro]

It's a good thing; 13 babies each time, maybe three times a year? If they had a longer life we'd be over run with them. Even cats only have 6 max twice a year - imagine how many crazy opossom ladies we'd have to have to cope? (I'd do that .. js)

[@Sara3346]

Interestingly opposom found on islands age much more slowly.

[@eesoo5420]

A wonder of nature would be something existing millions of years ago and still, the same animal, being alive today.

[@ZigealFaust]

@@Sara3346 Probably due to the fact they actually live longer than 2 years but have terrible life spans due to cats/humans/urban ecosystems. Pet ones usually live around 5 years or longer.

[@annastepanova3615]

It's bc they would be too powerful if they lived longer.

[@Blackbirdofheaven]

Everyone I know thinks opossums are ugly, I think they’re super cute!

[@neh214]

I'm nocturnal myself, so I've had many opportunities to observe my backyard Opposums clean up around the bird feeder. I find them to be charming, adorable & interesting. I don't find them ugly at all, however, when they are at the end of their lives they do seem to look quite disheveled. If any of my neighbors even knew that we have so many different nocturnal animals, they wouldn't sleep a wink. Every month some imbecile or another claims "the Coyotes are back again"' as though they may have gone on vacation & somehow returned. They don't realize that our Coyotes follow the creek bed as they hunt between 2-4 a.m. Thanks, this was a great documentary which I enjoyed immensely.

[@makeracistsafraidagain]

I absolutely love opossums. We have opossums in our yard every night and they are very sweet. We found a blind opossum with foxtails in his eyes. He was a big old man but he managed to adapt to living with us and became quite friendly. He lived two years with us and we still miss him.

[@jakobraahauge7299]

Opossums are so cute - and I'm so happy that you got to have one living with you! And I guess he grew old - he apparently had a very life with you! Happy Halloween - stay safe! 🎃🧡🤗 Lots of love from Denmark

[@bonnieforman9700]

I live in northern Massachusetts and I love the possums and feed a family of them every night on my second floor deck. They come up there for protection at night. I give them food and water, they love their sweet grapes, all year round. I also have 2 neighborhood cats that I feed and they all get along pretty well. In the winter, I have a heated house for them to sit in on cold nights. I believe I am on my fifth generation of one family, however I've never seen more than 3 babies at a time. They just keep bringing their kids every year. I love them.

[@donnahilton471]

💘👍

[@maidenmovies]

god bless you, man! you're saint

[@MzSuzy2698]

Bonnie Forman Wow how sweet!

[@lanafan4993]

👍🏼😷👍🏼

[@batcaaat]

the end of the video says not to feed them lol

[@dayglowjim]

I have a possum here at my house, and I love it! I think possums are so cute! They also eat ticks, and clean up left over cat and chicken food, keeping the rat population down.

[@dayglowjim]

@@thuringervonsausage5232 OMFG get a life!

[@tresinforest2904]

People run them over on purpose so sad 😥

[@yukowolfang8645]

I almost always tear with joy seeing and hearing about opossums. They are such perfect little creatures.

[@lorchid23]

I once found a baby possum in my yard several years back. I named him Raul. I fed him hotdogs, and he hissed at me. It was great!

[@thespiritof76.]

Yeah...? Did he recruit you for the Kennedy assassination?

[@ian.swift.31614]

i think you should feed them bugs , dont you have some bugs to eat in your house? well, you will soon...

[@XX-gy7ue]

they are so pretty and so friendly , and never bother anyone , and are much more able than they appear to be !

[@KeystoneHeavy58]

Possum is a Latin word that means "I am able"!

[@kinglyzard]

@@KeystoneHeavy58 Source?

[@semantick]

@@KeystoneHeavy58 "Opossum" is actually from the Powhatan people, a collection of native Algonquian tribes that originally inhabited the lands that are now the Virginias. It means white dog or white animal :3

[@StarSong936]

I had an opossum friend. He was still a juvenile when he found his way into my house. While he was still small enough to get through the hole in the floor, I would put a bowl of food out for him, whenever I saw him. I never tried to socialize him, but he did come to see me as not a threat, and would come by my house periodically. My room mate was afraid of him, but he would come up to near touching distance to me while going about his business. I felt so privileged to have had that experience. I still get opossums coming by from time to time, and I find them to be fascinating animals to observe. I once had a Brazilian mouse possum for a pet. I very much enjoyed sitting on the couch in my living room with her, and playing with her, for as long as she lived. If you have an opossum around, respect their space, pay attention to the cues they give you, and keep your distance to something they are comfortable with.

[@maidenmovies]

thank god for people like you

[@egv7468]

God bless your heart!

[@TheBlinked1]

I had a baby-possum come through my floor just last winter...I was scared shitless and blasted that thing away. I told my Nigerian landlord and he just laughed and said, "You blew him away!!!" Sorry, not sorry.🤷🏿‍♂️

[@cthulhuwu_]

@@TheBlinked1 wtf is wrong with you

[@ronnieingle1447]

Thank you for taking care of him

[@JazzyWaffles]

"While it may not be beautiful and charismatic-" *shows a picture of the most beautiful and charismatic opossum* Do we live on the same planet? opossums are perfect.

[@hermia966]

My cats get along with the possums that we feed. I guess cats just think possums are ugly cats lmao

[@melissahoney8317]

I think the possums are beautiful in their own way

[@betsysingh-anand3228]

I do too ❤️

[@whalesong999]

Befriended them while working at an exotic animal park in Missouri in the late '80s. It began years of helping ones I found in need and appreciating them for their humbleness and relatively gentle nature.

[@keithbridges2144]

Beautiful period, not in anyone's way......

[@froglegs4910]

Very ugly opossum ! Opossum ate my beautiful pheasant ! I hate it !

[@autumnwhispers2me]

We love our opossums. They really are such laid-back and gentle creatures. I find them adorable too.

[@4Frmcfff]

Shut up

[@_.izxy.edits.stuff._]

@@4Frmcfff oh look! A narcissist!

[@fuckinantipope5511]

@@4Frmcfff no u

[@DontWalkRUN]

Thank you for this. Very, very educational. Also, they're adorable.

[@AmB39]

Lol it’s so cool seeing you on this video! I love your channel and your appearances on Tim cast.

[@punishedwhispers1218]

If you dont think these are one of the most adorable things to ever live, there's something wrong with you

[@crm208]

You make no sense 😆

[@crm208]

I agree they are adorable

[@inconnu4961]

@@crm208 Thats because there is something wrong with her. LOL

[@Tammie-Burns1961]

My boyfriend and I have a family of Opossum living under my boyfriend mobile home and they come out just after dark and eat the cat food that we put out for our cats.

[@Tammie-Burns1961]

@Dave Alexander no these cats don't kill anything because they are scared of everything.

[@axelthecreator]

I came here because I just met one of these guys in my backyard. I’m in love. My cat didn’t even react to him. They just chilled together until he roamed some more and left 😍 I haven’t been so in love with an animal since I saw my first raccoon!!

[@CharlieApples]

I love this guy. He’s so knowledgeable and eager to teach us all about possums.

[@earlysda]

Except that he is proselytizing for the god of aeons of time.

[@robinq5511]

I've been thinking about what he said about NOT feeding the opossums that live on my property - which I have been doing for several months. They live here because I have a huge avocado tree and used to feed a feral cat that eventually died. I don't see how I can quit now because he expects his food every night after the cats come in. The upside is I no longer have any snails eating my flowers or leftover cat food to throw away - the downside is he sleeps in the tree and craps on my patio umbrella. My concern now is the possibility of having 13 (!) or more of them instead of just 2...which could happen anyway because of the avocado tree! Ah heck, I can't just quit feeding them now that they are so healthy looking - which they weren't when I started doing this.

[@yeaung5384]

I like old grandpas like this 🙏 love to listen stories like this

[@SamSolo43]

i just wanna say i really love how informative this short documentary was! the bits of conversations with the woman on the phone were very good too and definitely gave good insight on what to do if any of us viewers encountered these issues. also getting multiple members part of the center and not just ed himself! great work you guys!

[@taritavirtue]

i wholeheartedly agree! the woman on the phone was so informative too. if the babies are smaller than a dollar bill 💵 they most likely cannot survive on their own & need a wildlife rehabber to help them. this entire video was so helpful! i treasure our neighborhood possums. they visit us nightly and we set-up a porch camera just to see them. i can’t tell you the depth of pure happiness & joy they bring us every night. our cat disagrees, but they are learning to live together peacefully.

[@jdlaurence9900]

God bless these people who care for the wee ones. Thank you for your talents and love.

[@amistenson2535]

Wish more people knew about them. Too many people believe old myths. Ridiculous to hurt them. 😢 The one he’s holding is hungry 🥰 I love their little sneeze sounds when they’re hungry.

[@0MoTheG]

I do not understand why the O. has a bad reputation. The O. is a unique, singular animal.

[@kb3svj]

Personally, I always considered them so cute!

[@rathalomaniac6212]

What a precious creature. I love opossums ♥️

[@cotton7960]

"and while it may not be beautiful" HE SAYS WHILE SHOWING THE CUTEST OPOSSUM I'VE EVER SEEN

[@smoochysmoochy7267]

POSSUMS MAKE THE BEST PETS EVER!! Litter box trainable and very loving. Especially the Males . STINKY was my favorite pet ever and miss him dearly. So sad their lifespans are so short 😣

[@batcaaat]

They don't make good pets. They are wild animals.

[@esotericpince]

@@batcaaat dont fucking talk shit about stinky

[@user-hy6rd1tv9f]

Did stinky live up to his name? Nonetheless, I love stinky get much.

[@batcaaat]

@@esotericpince Their lifespan decreases in captivity. They get obese easily. If an opossum can't be released to the wild, I suppose it could be a pet. But they do not make good pets.s

[@deeriggs3319]

I had a female that was non releasable that I kept for three years.. she was the sweetest thing ever. I loved her dearly.

[@sarahmiller3941]

This week a very young possum showed up on the carport to eat some cat food. He's as big as my hand is long. I have seen him 4 times, so today I cut up some apple for something different in his diet. The cats don't bother him, but we also have several raccoons in the area. I hope our little guy doesn't get attacked by one of them.

[@spiderwort6291]

I think they are beautiful. I had one visit me this summer a few times. I feed the birds and he was quite content to clean up their mess. I was about four feet from him and he was fine. He even listened when I told him he was beautiful. My neighbours think I’m crazy because I talk to all the critters I have in my yard everyday but the neighbours obviously don’t see what I see in all these beautiful characters. Nature is just awesome!🥰❤️

[@treewalker1070]

Talking to the critters (in a high, soothing voice) definitely helps make them friendlier. I learned this about birds when I was a child, but recently deer have started visiting my yard, at first they would instantly take off if they detected my presence, but I started talking to them and they quickly came to know me and don't mid me close by. Besides the fact that tone of voice is a shared language between humans and animals, predators don't make noise, they try to hide, so if you are making sounds you are showing you are not a predator.

[@spiderwort6291]

@@treewalker1070 Awesome you mention that! When the squirrels come and wait for the peanuts I open my door and put the peanuts into a wooden box I made and screwed on the top of my fence. They are right there within an inch of my hand and I say “Hello stinker, you hungry”. They are not afraid of me but if they see the neighbour they grab a nut and scoot away. Lol. One comes up on my steps to the door and stares inside until I notice it. I open the door and toss a few peanuts to it, and it looks at me with its two little hands together as if to say Thank you. I get so much joy every day from my little critters. They melt my heart. Mind you buying 50 pounds of peanuts every few weeks takes its toll on my bank account but it’s worth it 💕

[@treewalker1070]

@@spiderwort6291 They take peanuts from my hand. I'll bet it wouldn't be hard for you to teach your squirrels to do that, too.

[@spiderwort6291]

@@treewalker1070 Lol. I did try that once but the poor squirrel thought my thumb was the peanut! It hurt a bit but didn’t break the skin. Lol. I think it scared him a bit as well. But he still keeps coming back so it’s all good. And I’m just so happy they trust me. They are so cute.

[@treewalker1070]

@@spiderwort6291 In all the years I have handfed squirrels, I have had that happen a few times. Pinched me but no damage. You just have to be careful when offering the peanut. That's assuming you even want to handfeed them in the first place, sounds like you are happy the way things are. I have to be careful about going out on the deck barefoot in the morning, because my toes apparently resemble peanuts.

[@bonefetcherbrimley7740]

They are adorable and lovely creatures. I wish they lived longer than 3 years.

[@tatchik77]

I 💙💚💜 possums! They are docile, smart, & very clean! Please respects these sweet misunderstood animals.

[@MAXIMUSISADOG]

I have opossums visit us to eat dry cat food my wife puts out, we think they are adorable and so very valuable.

[@nbrown6051]

MAXIMUSISADOG oh my God!! I’ve been doing that for years. They live dry cat food and bones and. Well. Everything I put out. I have a video I made of one of them eating dry cat food and if ya turn the sound up you can hear it chomping. Most when saw my video I posted were disgusted and wondered why I would feed it and not kill them and I just can’t understand the hate towards an innocent precious creature??

[@bonitajanssen5118]

@@nbrown6051 ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY ARE NORTH-AMERICA'S ONLY MARSUPIAL!!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH PEOPLE!

[@pupperoni2775]

I love them as well but did you even watch the end of this video?! The host recommends NOT leaving easily accessible food out for them because they don't know the difference between a friendly human and a human who may cause it harm. You could possibly be doing more harm than good in this situation, sadly.

[@MAFion]

I found a opossum the other day. Larger than a lot of dogs. 25-30 pounds maybe. Died in the road. I buried him. Seemed only right. Couple days later I saw a juvenile in the yard. It made me smile.

[@sm32646]

Opossums inspire me! Their resilience over time and usefulness to the environment, plus the fact they are North America's only marsupial, make them my favorite animals. I used to be a wildlife rehabber and have raised and released many opossums over the years. They are wonderful!

[@BrendaKline]

I love opossums and I think they are beautiful! Their hands and little pink noses are so adorable 😍

[@dmcentYT]

I’m late to the comments by 4 years lol but I had to say this is great to see time and education dedicated to these animals they are amazing it always brings me happiness to see them! Some of the most pleasant and advantageous animals

[@susansabatka5318]

I'm late as well. I love them. I had one who came to my deck every night and sat next to my cat for an hour or so just hanging out. I would feed him a cookie and he would be on his way. I named him Percy.

[@Mans_Ruin1313]

I love opossums and think they’re amazing! How cool is it that we have a marsupial in the US! I have had a few pet opossums and they’re actually very sweet.

[@TonyC-pq7bp]

My possum Laura just passed away. She lived for 4.5 years. 😭 she was best pet you can ever wish for. For those that do find abandoned baby and decide to keep one as a pet please do your research on the possum diet. Very important!!

[@peter9477]

Aside from the bit about needing calcium, isn't their diet pretty much "eats anything"?

[@thespiritof76.]

Ok so Laura learned a hard lesson when you tried to feed her broken glass?

[@brachio1000]

I've had to trap groundhogs a few times. Possums get in the trap. Getting them to leave becomes a comedy sketch. When they finally do, it's at an amble.

[@karenmilligan5597]

Very informative. Amazed to learn how many ticks one oppossum can take out. More oppossums less ticks. Great video on oppossums.

[@Fooma777]

“Living fossil” is a really awesome way of putting it. Love these creatures, had a young one bite me as a kid because I poked it as it lay on the ground (clearly a stupid move) and I still find them to be so cute and crucial (thousands of ticks!!!) to our ecosystems here in Bama. Much love for the possums, and the makers of this fine content!!

[@tresinforest2904]

You kno theres closedminded folks that treat other humans worse than an opossum!

[@earlysda]

Would've been even better content without the proselytizing for the religion of Evolution.

[@TheKnightDrag0n]

I'm here cause there is one of this animals walking on the roof of my house and climbing among tree branches next to my house, got an eye on it just to make sure dogs don't do anything to it. Very interesting animal.

[@treborironwolfe978]

Deer, rabbit, and squirrel are also very unpredictable if you see them near the roadside.. as our friend said here, just SLOW DOWN AND BE CAREFUL!

[@danielpedigo72]

we had 3 rescue Opossums that we saved from a mother's pouch. They are so smart and adorable. Their personalities are like a mix of cat and ferret.

[@gottasay4766]

One of my greyhounds has herded three opossums through the dog door into my house three times this year. I am proud to say I have captured all three and ushered them back into safety successfully. It is a rude awakening to wake up to one in your bedroom but since I know they are harmless,, I grab a bit more sleep then usher them out later on.

[@Drak976]

LOL wake up. Feral kitten on your bed. Grab it. It freaks out and attacks you. Many such cases.

[@williamolsen20]

I have recently developed a fondness for Opossums lately, they are very helpful to their ecosystem, and now I think they are cute too.

[@b991228]

With adult opossums moving about in a slow though unpredictable saunter if a driver takes reasonable precautions and gives them a wide berth they should be able to prevent them from being roadkill. We need to give these charming creatures a fighting chance for a reasonably long period of survival in their environment.

[@kathrinpohl8451]

German biologist here. Subscribed to the channel immediately. Great educational work.

[@thespiritof76.]

I thought you Europeans had possums in Europe?

[@nephatrine]

Wow, I'm one of those people who would have thrown something like an apple core out along the road since it's "food" not "trash/litter". I figured that, if anything, I would be doing some animal a service and did not stop to think about whether it would draw animals to the road where it's dangerous. Thank you for bringing up this issue and I'll keep this is mind in the future.

[@VPM]

Im glad we could bring that to light. Ed will be pleased.

[@aattura1541]

Thank you!! My friend, who threw an apple core out the widow and said "A tree will grow from it!" was immediately dispatched (after I stopped of course) to pick up the core -- I also informed her that I the Driver would be the one ticketed for her infraction.

[@igitahimsa5871]

Throw it *far* away, nowhere near the road, if you do it at all..

[@Drak976]

@@aattura1541 You sound fun. There's a line between educating and shaming. Any good lesson should not make the student feel lesser.

[@thespiritof76.]

@@VPM Oh well...if ed is pleased then all is right with the world, Yeah?

[@bold810]

I did not know about their affinity for clearing out Ticks. I am actually quite impressed with the knowledge in this video

[@G56AG]

Interesting and educational.

[@VPM]

Thanks! Ed and the crew at the wildlife center are always Interesting and educational.

[@mariaanglin9543]

I feed them every night. They come on my backyard. I give them fruits and cat food or dog foods. I leave near a wooded area. They eat together with Raccoons and feral cats. They don't fight they eat side by side.

[@igitahimsa5871]

@Maria Anglin Thank you for taking care of the animals, Maria. We are their only voice. God Bless

[@zachariahmorris833]

The live a life of peace making the world a better place for others. Humans could learn alot from the magnificent opossum.

[@renacleerican7824]

I am here because of the hypnotic video of the possums eating banana. There is no possum nor marsupial where I live( Europe), they look very weird to me, yet adorable. Even the word Opossum sounds amazing. You Americans are so lucky to live on a land with such a rich fauna. Take good care🙏❤

[@ZsaZsaUmbra]

I just can't understand what people don't like about oppossums. They are so unique and cause zero issues.

[@autumnwhispers2me]

Zsa Zsa Umbra I agree! They don’t carry rabies, they keep ticks under control, and they’re immune to snake venom. We love them.

[@cassandraalls5633]

I really learned so much from this video. Really well presented by the director and his staff.

[@rojopantalones9791]

My mom has a few cats, and tends to leave cat food out on the porch. Of course, this attracts animals like opossums and raccoons, especially with the water bowl out there, as well. Many years ago, there was one opossum that frequented the porch, so she took to feeding it whenever it was around. Eventually, it came to the point where it would happily sit on her lap as she fed and pet it. She loved that opossum. Sadly, one night, it was out on the porch and my mom opened the door to go be with it, only for one of the dogs to push her out of the way and attack it. I think she cried more then than when we had to put down one of our dogs when it had pancreatic cancer.

[@posypoodle6034]

I love them, they are so cute and goofy looking. Just visited Virginia, hoped to see some but wasn’t lucky. Wish we had them here in the U.K. Those sweet little hands, cross eyes and whiskers, what’s not to love?

[@stockinettestitch]

I went for a walk last June early in the morning around 530 and came across a mother possum with little baby possum faces all along her spine and two were hanging off the side of her, one on each side of her. It was so shocking and scary at first because I couldn’t figure out what I was looking at and then it was adorable of course. She started scolding me with a “tst” sound so I went on my way. So amazing to see in person.

[@drdiego3]

This was so enlightening. I already loved opossums and this just made me appreciate them more. Thank you.

[@49lucky]

Had one as a pet named Hoover. He was outside never inside and I fed him and he had a warm winter box in the winter. What a delightful pet.

[@CreepyMcSteezerson]

This is actually really good to know. Don't try to care for an orphaned oppossum on your own! They need special care! ❤️

[@javierbiaggi3072]

I have never seen one in my life. We don't have them in Puerto Rico but since a little kid I love Opossums. Every opportunity I go to the states I look for them to no avail. I congratulate you for such a great information and well delivered showing your love to your wildlife. God bless you for creating this foundation so much needed. I will look for your foundation in the web.

[@ravenbishop5232]

javier if you ever get to see one please let us know.

[@arthurnieto2190]

gosh I really wanted one as a pet for a few months now. They’re such loveable creatures and they’re really just so great, but I realize they do need to stay in the wild. I love them a lot and they deserve to stay wild

[@CaliLion0312]

I love my little opossum buddies! Whenever they're around I don't have to worry as much about pests. Along with my cat, they patrol my yard and protect my property from annoying pests.

[@j.michaeljefferson60]

This video gave me some respect for the possum as before watching this I thought it was a rat with a lot of teeth and the long tail looks slimmy and dirty. Now I see them as helpful

[@igitahimsa5871]

@J Michael Jefferson Possums are the best thing to have around a farm or garden or wilderness. Those who live near Possums are much safer from Lyme (They eat bugs, including ticks).

[@He4venlyBody]

Opossums were my favorite animal as a little kid--grasping with her tail, lugging babies on her back--they easily make my list!!

[@MC-gt6yp]

I believe they are absolutely vital to our well being. Please don’t train your dogs to attack opossum and raccoons.

[@sleuthjill7653]

As an immigrant to the USA from South Africa with a great appreciation for the magnificent species in Africa, I just LOVE the Opossum!! They have the most endearing faces, unobtrusive and so beneficial to our gardens. 💕💕

[@kelcritcarroll]

Awe! I love how he has the sneezes as he smells the guys shirt!

[@lonnarheaj]

Wonderful video, and the information is greatly appreciated! Thank you!!! We live out in the boonies on 50 acres of mostly wooded land surrounded by ranch land, and our house is isolated by distance from our neighbors. We have a couple of opossum, one very large (I call it Waddles) and one younger/smaller (Possy), that stop by and clean up the leftover feral cat food I leave on our back steps, when there’s any left. We’ve interrupted their evening snack quite often, and they’ve become very accustomed to us talking to them. They’ll listen for a little while: the older one seems more interested in conversing. They both eventually finish their snack or get tired of listening and amble down the steps and either waddle back under the house, or start the longer trek towards our barn, usually making a stop under the bird feeder to check for fallen seeds. They are very interesting critters! Our resident opossums don’t appear to have very sharp vision - sometimes they act like they can’t really see where they’re going; but their sense of smell is obviously well developed. After interacting with and watching our pair wander around for a few months now, they don’t give the impression of being the brightest bulbs on the light string; but that’s part of their charm! ❤️

[@KellieEverts--conductsNightTra]

This man is an expert & explains the animals very well. Shows respect, & I respect him.

[@eric1scooby]

I'm a big possum fan! One of my favorite animals to see around actually!

[@greypandatic]

that opossum that guy was holding looked like he was trying to tell him that he wants cuddles and not big gloves! lol

[@republican4u2nv78]

I love opossums!! I was always afraid of them years ago when I would occasionally see one on my porch eating left over cat food from the strays I feed... Now I purposely feed the opossums every night! I haven't seen one copperhead in my yard (I have a creek that runs through my yard that attracts snakes, especially copperheads, as they pass through) since at least 2 opossums eat at my house every night the past few years. I also love that I never have to throw any food away haha!

[@ronnieingle1447]

Happy youre no longer afraid of them, theyre so sweet.

[@thespiritof76.]

Don't forget you're also attracting rats.

[@republican4u2nv78]

@@thespiritof76. I've never even had a mouse in the nearly 20 years I've owned that house! Opossums love to eat rodents as well so I'm plenty covered between them and all the stray cats my neighbors and I feed and care for :)

[@republican4u2nv78]

@@ronnieingle1447 They really are I love to hand feed them and pet them lol! I go to the bakery once a week and buy goodies they aren't supposed to eat often and line my sidewalk/steps with the goodies! My dog and I then wait for them to arrive at night and watch their faces light up as they eat the trail of goodies 🤣 I was always afraid to get near them years ago because I assumed they were like racoons and were likely to get rabies but now I know it is rare for them to ever get rabies due to their lower body temperatures. They are so sweet, they get along great with my pets and the stray cats and kittens that eat cat food on my porch with them. *Autocorrect edit

[@thespiritof76.]

@@republican4u2nv78 Uh Huh. But your comment doesn't address the point that I made which is if you can attract possums with the food, you leave out, you'll also attract rats.

[@BlankPicketSign]

I adore Possums~! They are so cute and so derpy! Long Live the Virginia Opossum ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@jakeaaron]

"...while it may not be beautiful and charismatic?" Shows photo of adorable and very charming little possum.

[@elvirak.schuller9449]

Opossum are my favorite animals, they’re adorable with their round ears and cute hands, love ‘em!

[@CH-he8pr]

i have a possum that lives in my back yard. i named it harold, and it eats leftover catfood. even the cats are cool with him, they dont mess with him and he doesnt mess with them.

[@donnahilton471]

They're so cute! Precious babies!

[@fluffyraichu9706]

Opossums are adorable and nobody can change my mind

[@HeyYouSA]

Such amazing creatures.